H2 Kinetic Isotope Fractionation Superimposed by Equilibrium Isotope Fractionation During Hydrogenase Activity of D. vulgaris Strain Miyazaki

Anaerobic dihydrogen consumption of nutrient-limited aquifer sediment microbial communities examined by stable isotope analysis

The biogeochemical consequences of dihydrogen (H2) underground storage in porous aquifers are poorly understood. Here, the effects of nutrient limitations on anaerobic H2 oxidation of an aquifer microbial community in sediment microcosms were determined in order to evaluate possible responses to high H2 partial pressures. Hydrogen isotope analyses of H2 yielded isotope depletion in all biotic setups indicating microbial H2 consumption. Carbon isotope analyses of carbon dioxide (CO2) showed isotope enrichment in all H2-supplemented biotic setups indicating H2-dependent consumption of CO2 by methanogens or homoacetogens. Homoacetogenesis was indicated by the detection of acetate and formate. Consumption of CO2 and H2 varied along the differently nutrient-amended setups, as did the onset of methane production. Plotting carbon against hydrogen isotope signatures of CH4 indicated that CH4 was produced hydrogenotrophically and fermentatively. The putative hydrogenotrophic Methanobacterium sp. was the dominant methanogen. Most abundant phylotypes belonged to typical ferric iron reducers, indicating that besides CO2, Fe(III) was an important electron acceptor. In summary, our study provides evidence for the adaptability of subsurface microbial communities under different nutrient-deficient conditions to elevated H2 partial pressures.

Iron corrosion by methanogenic archaea characterized by stable isotope effects and crust mineralogy

Carbon and hydrogen stable isotope effects associated with methane formation by the corrosive archaeon Methanobacterium strain IM1 were determined during growth with hydrogen and iron. Isotope analyses were complemented by structural, elemental and molecular composition analyses of corrosion crusts. During growth with H₂ , strain IM1 formed methane with average δ¹³ C of -43.5‰ and δ² H of -370‰. Corrosive growth led to methane more depleted in ¹³ C, with average δ¹³ C ranging from -56‰ to -64‰ during the early and the late growth phase respectively. The corresponding δ² H were less impacted by the growth phase, with average values ranging from -316 to -329‰. The stable isotope fractionation factors, α 13 C CO 2 / CH 4 , were 1.026 and 1.042 for hydrogenotrophic and corrosive growth respectively. Corrosion crusts formed by strain IM1 have a domed structure, appeared electrically conductive and were composed of siderite, calcite and iron sulfide, the latter formed by precipitation of sulfide (from culture medium) with ferrous iron generated during corrosion. Strain IM1 cells were found attached to crust surfaces and encrusted deep inside crust domes. Our results may assist to diagnose methanogens-induced corrosion in the field and suggest that intrusion of sulfide in anoxic settings may stimulate corrosion by methanogenic archaea via formation of semiconductive crusts.